The Bell Streets Monument

Newfangled Melbourne and Castlemaine duo The Bell Streets have just dropped yet another gorgeous track to feature on their upcoming debut album Monument. 'Disappointment Town' follows from the album's first single 'Fragile', steering away from the distilled croons of its predecessor, towards up-tempo '60s/'70s folk-rock territory. Monument is slated for release on Friday 3 April via beloved Melbourne label Popboomerang Records.

Debut single 'Fragile' introduced the new collaborative project of Nick Batterham and Josh Meadows in January this year. Offering a striking display of the duo's impeccable songwriting and seasoned musical talents – garnered from a combined history of over two decades playing and performing in prominent Melbourne bands The Earthmen, The Steinbecks and more – Batterham and Meadows delivered the first of The Bell Streets' 10 tracks set to be released in 2020 to a collective of new and returning fans alike.

Focus single 'Disappointment Town' opens with alluring slow strums that pave the way for a bluesy indie ballad that twists and turns with swaggering bass, and swinging guitar licks that give a nod to early '70s Rolling Stones. Inspired by classic duets of the Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra era, 'Disappointment Town' couples the smooth oak of Nick Batterham's vocals with the ethereal beauty of Broads' vocalist Kelly Day, to create a disarming indie-noir masterpiece.

"I think it was at our very first session when I spoke of my desire to write a song about disappointment – a pretty unsexy topic for a song, if ever there was one! I was interested in exploring the idea that in any lasting relationship there will be disappointments – unfulfilled hopes, things not turning out as you imagined – but that's not the end of the story when love, forgiveness and humour come into play. Relationships can emerge stronger after setbacks. Nick came up with the enticing opening phrases, "I came home to find my luck run out / My magic had lost its spell..." Something about those lines made me yearn to hear the other person's perspective – the one who no longer was entranced." – Josh Meadows, The Bell Streets

Emerging from weekly songwriting sessions in Nick's studio, the 10 songs of Monument are genuine collaborations, with the pair riffing off one another and sharing lyric writing and singing duties alike. Throughout the entire record making process, Batterham and Meadows have made themselves vulnerable to each other (as good songwriting requires), resulting in both a deepened friendship and a stronger collective musicianship. The Bell Streets' debut record has all the elements of a timeless classic, but remains fresh and relevant in the modern age. Its songs are poppy, yet have substance. They are born from experience, rejection, steadfastness and unfaithfulness, playfulness, pleasure, forgiveness, new beginnings and gratitude.

The Bell Streets are thrilled to present the songs of Monument. Stay tuned for album launch dates soon!

'Disappointment Town' single out now
Monument out Friday 3 April via Popboomerang Records
Pre-purchase Monument via Bandcamp